By Staff
SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Last year in Michigan 1,500 more men said "I will be a friend to a child. I will let a child know that an adult cares what happens to him." 1,000 more boys are currently on waiting lists across Michigan waiting for a mentor. A mentor is not a parent, but a friend. A mentor should be a good role model, but does not have to be perfect. A mentor should listen, not preach. You can be a high school student, middle aged, or retired and be a mentor. You can be a janitor or a governor. Being a mentor is not hard, but means a commitment to a child for at least a year. Contact Michele at the Volunteer Center to learn about the many mentoring opportunities waiting for You across southwest Michigan. Come, talk and learn more about mentoring with no obligation.
ADULTS
Are you retired with a passion for reading? Third grade students at Sam Adams Elementary in Cassopolis would like to have you tutor them in reading one or more days a week, Monday-Thursday 9:30-10:30 a.m. As a Cass County Council on Aging volunteer, you will receive training from a reading specialist and take a CPR class. A criminal background check will be done. Reading is one of the key factors in educational success.
Are you passionate about helping women and families? Do you have time to spend empowering and impacting survivors of domestic violence to feel significant and worthwhile? As a crisis line volunteer at Safe Shelter you will provide a compassionate and listening ear to women in need. You can volunteer any day of the week in the morning or afternoon. Crisis line and domestic violence training is required. You must also undergo a criminal background check.
Catholic Family Services offers special assistance to parents under the age of 21. You can help ensure the health and well being of a teen's child when you volunteer at their Benton Harbor offices. Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – noon office assistant volunteers will answer phones and provide clerical support. You can volunteer once a month or more. Or you could volunteer on Wednesdays 3 to 5:30 p.m. providing childcare during parenting classes. Volunteers can also assist on other days with sorting donations of diapers and baby clothes. Would your church or office like to host a diaper drive?
Michigan Community Blood Centers' mission is to provide a safe and adequate blood supply. Volunteers 17 and older may choose from a variety of opportunities including serving refreshments at blood drives and assisting with clerical and other office tasks.
Dracula is not the only one who needs your blood! Your neighbor, co-worker, friends and family need your lifesaving blood today!
BERRIEN COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS blood drives: For a complete listing visit www.berrienredcross.org
MICHIGAN COMMUNITY BLOOD CENTER blood drives:
Monday, Nov. 5 – Andrews University, Pioneer Memorial Church, Berrien Springs: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For a complete listing visit www.miblood.org
ADULTS AND YOUTH
Are you a youth interested in the court system as a career? Are you an adult wanting to help our youth make better choices? As a Community Restorative Board Member for Berrien County Family Division you can encourage, support and educate youth who are first time offenders. You will be part of a panel that meets in your neighborhood helping them make amends to society and their victims because of the crime they committed. Volunteers must be of good moral character, be a good role model, mature and responsible and at least 15 years old. Intensive training will be provided.
Curious Kids Museum in Saint Joseph is an interactive, hands-on discovery center dedicated to stimulating curiosity and awareness in the areas of Science, Technology, History, and Culture. Reliable and lively volunteers, who enjoy interacting with children and are excited about learning, will find opportunities to help with exhibits, greet visitors, staff family programs and interact with children in a variety of ways.
FAMILIES
You want to teach your children to reach out and make a difference in their community, but sometimes it may seem difficult to find the right opportunity if you have children of various ages. Why not take your children on a walk around the neighborhood to "discover" what they can do? This time of year especially many parks may need trash picked up, or an elderly or sick neighbor's yard may need sprucing up.
Contact the Volunteer Center at www.volunteerswmi.org